The Biote D'Or experience with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). It is a control system established in 2003 to authenticate the provenance of diamonds. After it became known in the late 1990s that warring parties were abusing the trade with rough diamonds to fund their conflicts, this initiative was founded to put an end to the sale of so called blood or conflict diamonds. Today, more than 49 countries are part of the Kimberley Process, the European Community being counted as one member. The members commit themselves to strict rules and regulations to verifiably track the legitimate provenance of each diamond. Further detailed information about the Kimberley Process here.

RJC (Responsible Jewellery Council)The Responsible Jewellery Council is a not-for-profit, standards setting and certification organisation. The RJC's Chain-of-Custody Certification for precious metals supports these initiatives and can be used as a tool to deliver broader Member and stakeholder benefit. Published on Nov 22, 2013

You've heard the word before. Something to do with government and politics, right? Well, it also has to do with fairness. Gerrymandering is when one political party redraws district borders in order to win more than the opposition. Say what? Don't worry, AJ+ explains. Published on Oct 28, 2014

This is the biggest thing David Suzuki has ever done. Around the world, more than 110 nations recognize the right to live in a healthy environment, but not Canada. Together, we can change that: http://www.bluedot.ca/join-us Published on Sep 24, 2014

Former President Bill Clinton (SFS'68) told an audience in Georgetown's historic Gaston Hall that being a good citizen in the 21st century "requires every thoughtful person to try to do some public good...We are on an unsustainable path to the future...the world is awash in too much in inequality and unsustainability." He ends with "If you want to serve you must begin with the stories." Published on May 2, 2013

After Bill's interview with Saru Jayaraman on food workers fight for a living wage, he spoke about the two events this week -- one in Albany, NY and the other in Washington, DC -- that have made the fight to save democracy from big money, already an uphill battle, even harder.

In Albany, Governor Cuomo and legislators killed a commission investigating political corruption, failed to pass campaign finance reform and gave tax breaks to the rich in their annual budget. In Washington, the Supreme Court struck down overall contribution limits on how much individual donors can give to candidates, parties and PACs.

In this clip, Bill offers his reactions to this week's events: "The prevailing myth in America has been that the rich have a right to buy more homes, more cars, more gizmos, vacations and leisure. But they don't have the right to buy more democracy. The Supreme Court has just laid that myth to rest, and the new gilded age roars in triumph."

The attempt through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to grant equal rights to women. The Equality4women website, the EqualRightsAmendment website are two resources of many to reference in learning about the ERA.

The ERA: A Brief Introduction

Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.

Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.

Canadian marketplace and sustainability reporting is discussed by Yolanda Banks, Senior Advisor, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Export Development Canada (EDC). EDC provides Canadian exporters with financing, insurance and bonding services as well as foreign market expertise. She references GRI, Global Reporting Initiative, guidelines and their use in looking at those companies the EDC is considering for investment purposes.

TalkingStickTV - Panel discussion on "Community Organizing: Stories From Local Groups" from the Conference of the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability "Celebrating 25 Years of Success" recorded September 22, 2012 at the Good Shepard Center in Seattle, WA. Speakers include Ralph Hutchison with the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance, Lisa Crawford with Fernald Residents for Environmental Safety and Health (FRESH), Marylia Kelley with Tri-Valley Communities Against a Radioactive Environment, Pamela Kingfisher with Native Americans for a Clean Environment, Natalia Mironova with the Russian Movement for Nuclear Safety and Bob Schaeffer with Public Policy Communications.